During his visit to India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Mumbai and the city of Jamnagar in Gujarat—rather than New Delhi—where he will visit Mukesh Ambani’s oil refinery, the largest of its kind in the world. What is the objective behind this unusual choice?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is beginning his three-day visit to India in the financial hub of Mumbai, after which he will travel to the city of Jamnagar in Gujarat. The Reliance Industries refinery located in Jamnagar is considered one of the world’s largest oil refining complexes, and Rubio is set to meet there with the company’s chairman, billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani.

Rubio’s visit comes at a time when trade negotiations between the United States and India have yet to reach a definitive conclusion, while India’s purchase of Russian oil also remains a significant issue in the relationship between the two nations.

Why is Rubio’s visit to Jamnagar significant?

The Reliance refinery located in Jamnagar ranks among the world’s largest oil refining complexes. Reliance is also a major buyer of Venezuelan oil, and the refinery has the capacity to process approximately 1.4 million barrels of crude oil per day. Consequently, it is considered a key hub for exporting diesel to global markets.

U.S. officials have also shown interest in the refinery’s capabilities. In an interview with the Indian broadcaster NDTV, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gore stated that Jamnagar could become a significant source of diesel supply for the United States in the future.

Why is Russian oil a subject of discussion?

However, the significance of Jamnagar is not limited solely to its production capacity. This refinery has also been a major purchaser of Russian “Urals” crude oil. Following the war in Ukraine, India significantly increased its imports of Russian oil at discounted rates, making Russia India’s largest supplier of crude oil. It is for this reason that Rubio’s visit is also being viewed in the context of Russian oil, the global energy market, and U.S.-India trade negotiations.

Experts state that Rubio’s choice of Mumbai and Jamnagar—rather than New Delhi—should not be interpreted as a diplomatic slight. C. Raja Mohan, a foreign affairs analyst associated with O.P. Jindal Global University, told DW that the Jamnagar refinery has gained extraordinary international significance in the context of the global energy crisis triggered by the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

According to him, Jamnagar has become a “key hub” for global trade; it processes Russian crude oil and plays a vital role in supplying refined Russian petroleum products to global markets, particularly in Western nations.

Why is the US interested in Jamnagar?

In March, a project for a new oil refinery in Texas, USA—backed by Reliance—was announced. US President Donald Trump has described this project as part of efforts to enhance trade cooperation between the United States and India and to reduce the trade deficit.

Since the beginning of his second presidential term, the Trump administration has repeatedly pressured India regarding tariffs and trade barriers. Washington has also expressed concerns over India’s continued reliance on Russian oil, even though New Delhi has maintained Russian energy as a key component of its energy strategy.

In September, Trump signed a law that would have allowed for the imposition of additional tariffs on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. However, just days before the law was set to take effect, he issued an executive order temporarily deferring these sanctions.

Is this also a diplomatic message?

During a visit to Central Asia, Rubio told journalists that the United States is close to finalizing a trade agreement with India. According to him, it became necessary to grant exemptions from certain sanctions in recent months, taking into account global energy supplies and prices.

Former Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar also disagrees with the notion that Rubio’s decision not to visit Delhi carries any political message. According to her, the primary focus of the current visit is energy, which is why the U.S. Secretary of State has included the Jamnagar refinery on his agenda.

Shankar notes that high fuel prices in the United States—particularly for diesel—have become a political issue for the Trump administration, prompting Washington to pay close attention to potential sources of energy supply. She adds that progress on the proposed refinery project in Texas could prove beneficial for both nations.

Although the United States and India characterize their relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing defense, trade, technology, and energy, the issue of Russian oil remains a significant and sensitive topic in their bilateral ties. In this context, Rubio’s visit to Jamnagar is viewed as more than a routine diplomatic activity; it is considered significant for global energy politics, the trade in Russian oil, and U.S.-India economic relations.